Local folks do great work and are always trustworthy

Tuesday

Sep 3, 2013 at 6:59 PMSep 3, 2013 at 6:59 PM

My official carpet installer, is Varner Shippy. He is a nice guy, has a nice family and does excellent work. He is so nice that he showed up on Saturday morning to install the bedroom carpet. I was very happy because I have been sleeping in my recliner chair for two nights. The recliner chair is passable but I have slept better.

I have several local people who have painted, sanded, done electricity, installed kitchen floor, carpet and a lot more. Mike Withrow who has installed cabinets for us, in two houses in the past 20 years is great. Fred Sterle painted and papered my house 20 years ago and is still going. All of are getting older but what a blessing they are.

I can run into town, do my beauty shop thing, etc. and know my house is safe with them here. To make the entire scenario even more amazing, Virgil and Ernie Shippy, brothers of Varner built our house in 1993.

Odessa is a pretty nice place to live.

This week they put down my kitchen floor and I got a new refrigerator and stove. It makes me want to do some cooking The biggest problem is locating all the recipes I love the most in the mess but I will find something.

One item that I really love is marshmallow. I like Rice Krispy treats and I am known to sit in the “Bear’s” recliner with a bowl of big marshmallows and a book of matches. I put the marshmallow on a fork and then light it. I love them really burned so I wait patiently. I really don’t recommend this as it is a fire hazard but I keep a glass of water beside me just in case.

Anything with marshmallows is great.

Marshmallow Apple Crisp

4 cups, peeled sliced apples

1/4 cup water

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup margarine

1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

Place apples and water in 8 inch square baking dish. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in margarine until mixture is like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40minutes or until apples are tender, sprinkle with marshmallows. Broil until lightly browned. See you next week.

Dixie Ryan lives in Odessa and has enjoyed sharing her cooking talents and secrets with readers for many years.